Bread slicer



@CE 9, 1934. w w HARTMAN 1,975,942

BREAD SLICER Filed May 2, 1932 3 Sheets-Sheet l Inventor o 48 29 5' 45 oWilliam Malzer Harimam. (X 753 I Oct. 9, 1934. w. w.' HARTMAN BREADSLICER Filed May 2, 1932 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 J 2 tier/veg.

Patented st. 9, 1934 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFHCE 13 Claims.

This invention relates generally to cutter mechanisms for slicingmachines of the type used for slicing bread. Although bread slicing willbe used as an example in explaining the invention,

it will be understood that I am not necessarily limited thereto for itcan be adapted to slice other articles and still be within the spirit ofmy invention.

A large proportion of bread is now sliced before 19 being sold, theslicing, packaging, and handling being done by automatic machineryoperating as rapidly as possible to effect maximum capacity and minimumcost. Certain difficulties arise in operating slicing machines at thedesired rate, which must be at least the rate at which subsequentmachines handle the loaf, for speed must not be attained at a sacrificeof quality or appearance of the sliced loaf.

In attempts to increase the capacity of a given machine, it frequentlyhappens that the loaf carrier speed is increased to move the loaf pastthe knives more rapidly, with the result that the loaf passes the knivesat a rate greater than that at which they can efficiently cut. When thecutting rate of the knives is less than the rate at which the loaves arefed through the knives, the effect is that of cutting with a dull knifeand a relatively large quantity of crumbs are torn loose leaving arough, ragged sliced surface. The increased carrier speed bringsincreased pressure of the loaf against the knives, and while this, insome instances, may slightly increase the cutting rate, a noticeableresult is the very considerable compression of the leaf resulting fromthis excessive pressure. A slight compression of the loaf is normal andto be expected, but is not permanent; while an excessive compressionleaves a permanent deformation that is objectionable to the trade.

It thus becomes a general object of my invention to provide a cuttermechanism capable of a relatively high rate of slicing Without tearingthe cut surface or compressing the loaf to a point where it becomespermanently deformed, the cut ter mechanism thus being capable ofhandling properly the loaves at the highest loaf carrier speed. Undersuch circumstances, the cutting is clean and smooth and the pressure ofthe loaf against the knives is relatively small so that the loafcompression is not sumcient to leave the loaf deformed.

It is also an object of my invention to provide means to confine theloaf within the carrier and to position properly the loaf with respectto the knives.

To attain these objects, I use a plurality of laterally spaced cuttersor knives reciprocated at high speed by a driving mechanism preferablydesigned to reciprocate alternate knives in substantially oppositedirections relative to each other. In this respect, and in other generalfeatures, the cutter mechanism typifying the present invention similarto that of my prior copending application on Bread slicer, Ser. No.429,650, filed February 17, 1930. The improvements particularlyconcerned in the present invention are characterized by the fact thatthe knives are offset with respect to each other in a direction of loafmovement, being preferably arranged in a flat \/-formation with the apexof the V pointed toward the advancing loaf. This arrangement of theknives secures increased cutting efiiciency, for the knives enter thecrust singly or in pairs so that the comparatively high cuttingresistance of the crust does not cause the loaf to be crushed.

To center loaves of difierent lengths with respect to the knives, a pairof guides are furnished one at each end of the loaf. These guides extendlongitudinally in the direction of loaf movement and are adjustablelaterally across the carrier so that the center of the loaf may be movedagainst the point of the V-formation of the cutters.

The improvements of the present invention are applicable generally tocutter mechanisms utilizing spaced reciprocating blades, as typified bythe cutter mechanism shown in my prior copending application, Ser. No.429,050; and, although the improvements herein concerned are not limitedto that type, because of certain features that are concerned with thattype I explain the improvements as embodied in that kind of cuttermechanism or cutter head.

To better explain how I accomplish the above and other objects of myinvention, reference is here made to the following description andaccompanying drawings wherein I describe and show typical embodiments ofmy invention.

In the drawings:

' Fig. l is a side elevation of a slicing machine equipped in accordancewith myinvention;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged elevation of the cutter head on line 22 of Fig. 1,part of the crankcase being broken away to show the crank-shaft andmeans for attaching the knives thereto;

Fig. 3 is a vertical section through the cutter head on line 33 of Fig.2;

Fig. 4 is a plan view of the slide-rod guide and crank-case on line 4-4of Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is a plan view of the spring attaching bar on line 5-5 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary plan on line 66 of Fig. 1;

Fig. '7 is a side elevation of a variational form of cutter head inwhich the knives are mounted in two frames;

Fig. 8 is a vertical section through the cutter head on line 88 of Fig.7;

Fig. 9 is a plan view on line 9-9 of Fig. '7 showing the formation ofthe frames;

Fig. 10 is a plan view of a partially sliced loaf;

and

Fig. 11 is a vertical section on line 11-11 of Fig. 10.

In order to explain fully the action of my improved cutter mechanism, Ishow it operating in conjunction with a bread carrying mechanism; andfor this purpose I have selected that type of machine which is thesubject-matter of my prior copending application, Ser. No. 429,050,because the general arrangement and features of the cutter head in whichI explain my improvement, are in particulars adapted for cooperationwith that type of carrier mechanism. However, it is to be understoodthat the improved cutter mechanism, or the features of the presentimprovement, are applicable to other types of carriers and appurtenantmechanisms.

Referring to Fig. l, which shows one side of a slicing machine, theslicer is seen to have a frame generally indicated at 15 which includesa pair of longitudinal horizontal members 15. Mounted one on each offrame members 15a are two supporting brackets 16 which carry betweenthem the cutter head generally indicated at 18. Also attached to bracket16 is a pair of rings 19 on and between which are rotatably mounted aplurality of rollers 20. Rollers 20 support the rotating loaf carrierwhich comprises a plurality of laterally spaced disk rings 21 havingextending arms 21a which, when laterally alined, form loaf carryingcompartments 22 about the periphery of the carrier.

Leaves of bread are placed upon the feed belt 23 which carries them to apoint where the rotating stile 24 picks up the loaves and places them inthe successive loaf compartments 22 of the carrier. After passingthrough the knives near or at the top of the carrier, the loaves areretained in the carrier compartments until they are deposited by gravityupon discharge belt 2"! which moves the loaves out of the slicingmachine.

Motor 28 drives, through a suitable gear reduction box 29, a chain 30that rotates star wheel 31, which in turn forms the means for moving theloaf carrier, and also rollers 32 and 33 that drive the feed anddischarge belts respectively.

The foregoing brief description of the general operation of the slicerherein illustrated is given so that the nature and utility of myinvention may be more fully understood; and reference may be had to myprior application, referred to above, for a more complete description ofthe construction and operation of this preferred form of slicingmachine. Although I show and describe my improved form of cutter head asbeing used in connection with a particular type of loaf conveying andhandling mechanism, I do not wish to be limited thereto; for it will berealized that the cutter head may be used with types of loaf handlingmechanism other than herein illustrated, and one of which is shown in mycopending application on Synchronous slicer and wrapper feed, Ser. No.544,429, filed June 15, 1931.

The cutter head comprises a series of laterally spaced knives, means tosupport the knives, and mechanism to drive the knives. This drivingmechanism, best seen in Figs. 2 and 3, includes a crank-case 35 withinwhich is housed crankshaft 36. Crank-case 35 comprises a main bodyportion open at both ends and along the top.-

The top opening is continuous with at least one end opening so that theconnecting-rods and slide-rods, to be described later, can be attachedto the crank-shaft and the entire assembly inserted into the crank-caseas a unit. The open ends of the crank-case body are closed by end plates37 which also serve to support suitable bearings for the crank-shaft.The crank-shaft extends beyond one end plate and carries on theextension a drive pulley 38 which is driven from motor 28 by means ofbelts 39. The top of the crank case is closed by means of sliderod guide40 bolted to the crank-case.

The crank-shaft is formed with a series of eccentrics or cranks 42 towhich are attached the lower ends of connecting rods 43. The upper endsof the connecting-rods are slotted to receive slide-rods 44 and arepivoted thereto. Each slide-rod 44 is formed with a cylindrical portionwhich reciprocates within a suitable bore in guide 40 so that a bearingguide for the rod is thus provided. The upper ends of the slide-rods areconnected with the lower ends of knives or cutters 46, while the upperends of these cutters are attached to tension springs 47 which in turnare supported from attaching strip 48 fastened to cross bar 49.

Vertical uprights 50, bolted to the ends of guide 40, support betweenadjusting nuts 53 bearings 51 that journal the ends of shaft 54. To eachend of shaft 54 is pinned an eccentric 55 which is connected to crossbar 49 by means of eccentric strap 56. Collars 58 on the ends of crossbar 49 slide on the upper end of uprights 50 to guide the cross bar asit is moved up and down.

This arrangement provides a means to raise and lower the cross bar torelease tension in the springs so that knives may be easily changed. Inthe position of Fig. 2, the center line of eccentrics 55 is above thecenter of shaft 54 and cross bar 49 is in its uppermost position. If,however, shaft 54 is rotated counterclockwise (Figs. 1 and 3) a littlemore than 180 by means of handle 60 so that the center of eccentrics 55is directly beneath the shaft, cross bar 49 and attaching strip 48 moveto the lower, dotted line position and the springs 47 are then underlittle or no tension. That the device is self-locking with the cross barraised may be seen by reference to Fig. 3. In this position the centerof eccentrics 55 is moved clockwise past top dead center, handle 60moving from the dotted line to the full line position when the bar israised, so that the downward pull of the springs tends to continue therotation of the eccentric in a clockwise direction, this continuedrotation, however, being prevented by the engagement of handle 60 withcross bar 49. The tension of the springs as a whole may be adjusted tosecure the best cutting results by means of adjusting nuts 53 whichpermit the raising or lowering of shaft 54 and cross bar 49 as desired.

The reciprocating slide-rods move the cutters up and down while thetension springs always tend to pull them upwardly. This keeps the cutters under a continuous tension that elim nates any tendency of theknives, which are preferably thin and therefore flexible, tobuckle ordeviate from a true vertical path under the up-thrust cf the rapidlymoving slide-rods. As an aid in keeping the cutters properly spaced andfree from side play, a guide bar 62 supported by and between uprights 50receives in slots the upper ends of the cutters as may be seen in Fig.3. Clips 63 are attached to the knives to enlarge the bear- 1.5;

ing surface between the slots and the rear, noncutting edge of theknives.

Because it is desirable to operate the cutters at a high linear speedbut with short strokes, the cranks are of fairly small eccentricity andthe crank shaft is adapted to operate at relatively high rotationalspeed. To eliminate vibration it is necessary to dynamically balance thereciprocating parts, this balance being attained by arranging theeccentrics in pairs, the directions of eccentricity of the twoeccentrics of each pair being 180 apart. While it is possible to makeadjoining members of successive pairs of eccentrics angularly spaced by180", it is preferable to make the angular spacing between successivepairs other than 130 so that the pairs are evenly distributed over 180or 360; though it is not necessary that all the spacings between beequal since better balance may be obtained with unequal spacings in Viewof the divergence between the knives, as will be explained later. latterarrangement is preferred because it produces a better dynamic balancefor the centrifugal forces are uniformly distributed at small intervalsaround the crank shaft and are consequently smaller in magnitude.However, in either arrangement adjacent knives are driven insubstantially opposite direction with relation to each other.

Moving at a high linear speed, the knives cut rapidly when once within aloaf; but the resistance of the outside crust is much higher than thatof the interior of the loaf so that when the loaves, moving at theproper rate for cutting the interior, initially contact the knives, theresistance of a flat side presented to all the knives at once causescompression of the loaf until the crust is penetrated. This isespecially true when the loaf interior warm and soft since it compressesmore easily offers less support to the crust.

This crushing of the loaf and why it occurs may be more readilyunderstood by reference to Figs. 10 and 11 where a loaf is shown aspartially sliced by a of knives all of whose cutting edges are in thesame laterally extending plane parallel to the advancing side of theloaf. The relatively high resistance of the forward crust necessitatesthat it be firmly pressed against the knives in order to be cut through;otherwise it remains stationary as the knives slowly saw through it andcontinuously advancing carrier pushes the rear crust forward. Finally,the loaf is sufiiciently squeezed to exert the required force againstthe forward crust to cause penetration of the knives. The cutting of theinterior of the loaf proceeds much more rapidly; but if the interior iscompressed, the cut is apt to be crooked and characterized by an excessof crumbs.

The slices at or near the ends of loaf 66 are adequately supported bythe end crusts of the leaf so that little or no crushing occurs at theseplaces. Likewise, the top and bottom of all slices at 67 and 68respectively are supported by the top and bottom crusts. This leaves anelongated central area 6% supported only by the loaf interior, which,pointed out, must be compressed to exert the reactive force against theinside of the forward crust required for slicing. A small amount ofcompression is not harmful for the loaf springs back to its originalshape, but an excessive compression passes the elastic limit and resultsin a permanent deformation of the leaf.

These are the conditions existing when the several cutting edges are inone plane. The loaf even at the central area 69 will hold the crust inplace against one or two cutters and these will quickly penetrate as isthe case where the knives are near the loaf end. Consequently, if theknives are offset relative to each other in the direction of loafmovement so that they enter the loaf singly or in pairs, any given knifewill not contact the loaf until the preceeding knives have cut throughthe crust and consequently the loaf will not be crushed. With the knivesin a single plane parallel to the loaf, the carrier travels through arelatively large are from the time of initial contact until any givenknife penetrates so that the forward crust is cut at a rate relativelyslower than that of the loaf interior. With offset knives, any knifepenetrates the crust with relatively small travel of the carrier sothat, in effect, the cutting rate of the crust has been increased tothat of the interior. The total time required for slicing a loaf may nowbe materially reduced because of the lessened crushing; and the capacityof the machine may be correspondingly in creased by speeding up themovement of the leaf carrier.

Although the knives may be arranged in a single plane inclined to theloaf, I prefer to place them in two intersecting planes equally inclinedto the loaf so that the knives are arranged in a V-formation with theapex pointing toward the advancing loaf. By this latter arrangement thefirst knife contacts the loaf at or near the center and succeedingknives progressively toward the ends of the loaf so that the maximumsupport of the end crusts is thereby attained.

Fig. 3 shows how the knives in one half of the V appear fanned out asthey radiate outwardly from the crank-shaft. The knives reciprocateradially from the crank shaft at divergent angles, the angle dependingupon the lateral position of the knife. The variations in these anglesmay be seen in Fig. 4 which indicates the different directions of theslide-rods passing through guide so. The spread of the tension springsat their upper end requires that attaching strip 48 be of a V-shape asindicated in Fig. 5. Guide bar 62 is also V- shaped to conform to thearrangement of the knives near their upper end. Comparison of Figs. 4and 5 shows that the V formed by the knives and their supporting anddriving means becomes more pronounced progressing from the crank-shaftoutwardly to attaching strip 48.

This naturally follows from the fact that, although the center lines ofthe individual knives pass through the center line of crank-shaft 36,the knives are moving radially from the crank shaft at diverging angles.By placing the crankshaft at the center of the circular loaf carrier,all the knives contact the loaf at the same angle and, no matter howgreat the distance between knives in the direction of carrier movement,the knives always reciprocate radially of the carrier andperpendicularly of the loaf path.

For the purpose of confining the bread endwise and of centering the loafwith respect to the knives, there is provided a pair of annular guides70 (see Fig. 1) which, for ease of handling and 1 :1-

adiustability, are made in three separate arcuate segments 70a, 70b, and700. Carried at the upper end of a pair of uprights 71 on the frame 15,is rod 72 on which is adjustably mounted a pair of ide brackets '73.tached a plate 70a, each plate 70a having an inclined extension '74which serves as a point of attachment and as a flared guide to receivethe bread as the loaf is moved by inverting stile 24 from infeed. belt 3into a, loaf compartment 22 To each of brackets '73 atof the carrier.Segments 70a are thin plates adapted to fit in the spaces between diskrings 21 and are laterally adjustable toward and away from each other tocenter the bread held between them with respect to the apex of thecutters arranged in V formation.

Fastened across between uprights is rod '76 which also carries a pair ofslide brackets 78. To each of slide brackets '78 is attached a segment7972. Guides 7979 are also thin plates adapted to be placed between diskrings 21 to form continuaticns of guides a. Plates 70a and 70b areadapted to be rotated about rods 72 and '76 respectively, so that theymay be-lifted vertically out of the spaces between the disk rings whenit is desired to shift the guides laterally across the carrier to newdesired positions. Set screws are provided in the slide brackets to holdthe guides at any desired place. As seen in Fig. 1, segments '70:; and7613 are supported upon the two upper rollers 20. Should it be desiredto cut a loaf shorter than the full width of the loaf carrier, certainof the knives are removed to permit the in ertion of the end guidesbetween the disk rings.

The third segments of guides 70 are plates 700 which are adjustablymounted upon a rod carried by uprights so that plates 790 may beinserted between suitable disk rings to form continuations of the plates7%. In order to hold the sliced loaves within compartments 22 on thedownwardly moving side of the carrier, there is provided a curved sheet81 which also serves as a supporting means for the lower ends of plates700.

Thus it will be seen that, taken as a whole, the pair of end guides 70serve not only as means for receiving the loaf and guiding it andcentering it with respect to the knives, but also as means for confiningthe ends of the sliced loaf to keep the slices together while the loafis moved along the downwardly moving side of the carrier and isdeposited finally upon discharge belt 27. Under certain circumstances itmay be desirable to make one guide '79 in the form of a stationary andcontinuous plate while the other one is made adjustable as described. Itis preferred, however, that both guides 7 be made adjustable so as tosecure the full use of these guides as means for centering the leaves asthey pass through the offset knives. Although shown as of annular shapeto conform to the rotary carrier illustrated, it will be understood thatthe end guides may be made to conform with and laterally adjustable ofany other type of longitudinally moving loaf carrier.

Figs. 7, 8 and 9 illustrate another cutter head using a variationalarrangement of the V-formation of the cutter. This cutter head isconstructed generally as described above except that the cutters areattached to two oppositely moving frames instead of being each actuatedby a separate eccentric, as will be now explained. Crank case 35 housescrank shaft which has a pair of diametrically opposed cranks at eachend, only one pair being shown in Fig. '2, to which connecting rods 91are attached. At the upper ends of connecting rods 91 are pivotedslide-rods 92 and 93 which have bearing in guide block 94 and guides 95fastened to uprights 96. Uprights 96 are bolted at their bases to guideblock 94 and held spaced at their upper ends by bar 98.

Lower and upper frame bars 169 and 101, respectively, are attached tothe pair of slide-rods 93 and form a frame to which several of thecutters are attached. Two other frame bars 192 and 103 are connected toslide rods 92 and form a second frame to which the remainder of knives46 are attached, the knives of one frame being positioned between theknives of the other frame so that alternate knives are atached toalternate frames (Fig. 9). The eccentrics on crank shaft 90 beingdiametrically opposed to each other, slide-rods 92 and the frame drivenby them will reciprocate in an opposite direction to that of slide-rods93 and their frame. In this manner alternate knives are driven insubstantially opposite directions with relation to each other. Springs105 are mounted on the upper frame bars to properly tension the cutterblades.

Fig. 9 shows the lower frame bars in plan and illustrates how the knivesare arranged one offset behind the other in the direction of loaf travelto form a V. This arrangement of the cutters is the same as describedabove except that when viewed from the side as in Fig. 8 the cutters areparallel rather than divergent as in Fig. 3.

This variational form of cutter head may be used with other types ofcarriers or with the same rotary loaf carrier as described, and in thislatter case the construction and operation of end guides '70 will be thesame as explained before. In Fig. '7 guides 70 are shown as positionedto receive a loaf shorter than the distance between extreme cutters. Inthis case the cutters are removed from between the rings where the endguides are inserted so that there wfll be no interference with theguides.

The following claims are directed to the described improvements in thecutting mechanism, and in combination with an arcuately or circularlymoving bread carrier; but do not include claims to adjustability ofposition of the cutter head or a variable speed drive for the carrier,that being the subject-matter of my copending application Ser. No.623,364, filed July 19, 1932, Bread slicer.

It is to be understood that the drawings and description are to beconsidered merely as illustrative of. and not as restrictive on thebroader claims appended hereto; for various changes in design,structure, and arrangement may be made therefrom without departing fromthe spirit and scope of my invention.

I claim:

1. A cutter head having a plurality of laterally spaced slicing knivesdisposed in parallel planes, the cutting edges of the knives facing inone direction along said planes, and supporting and driving means forthe knives including a crankshaft with a plurality of cranks eachdriving one of the several knives, the several knives extending radiallyof the crankshaft and the cutting edges of the knives being spaced fromeach other in a direction parallel to said planes.

2. A cutter head having a plurality of laterally spaced slicing knivesdisposed in parallel planes, the cutting edges of the knives facing inone direction along said planes, and supporting and driving means forthe knives incluring a crankshaft with a plurality of cranks eachdriving one of the several knives, the several knives extending radiallyfrom the crankshaft, and the cutting edges of the knives being spacedfrom each other in a direction parallel to said planes so that theknives are arranged in V -formation.

3. A cutter head having a plurality of laterally spaced slicing knivesdisposed in parallel planes, the cutting edges of the knives facing inone direction along said planes, supporting and driving means for theknives including a crankshaft with a plurality of cranks each drivingone of the several knives, the several knives extending radially fromthe crankshaft and the cutting edges of th knives being spaced from eachother in a direction parallel to said planes so that the knives arearranged in ll-formation, means to move loaves against and through theknives, and guide means to center the loaf on the V-formation during thetravel of the loaf.

4. In a slicing machine adapted to slice a loaf of bread, a plurality oflaterally spaced slicing knives, supporting and driving means for theknives, and a loaf carrier adapted to carry a loaf past the knives, thecutting edges of said knives being arranged in offset relation in thedirection of loaf movement to form a V with the apex presented to thecenter of the advancing loaf, and adjustable means to center the loafrelative to the apex of the knives said centering means including a pairof normally stationary plates extending past the knives to confine thesliced leaf and mounted rotatively and slidably to permit of insertionbetween selected knives.

In a slicing machine adapted to slice a loaf of a plurality of laterallyspaced knives adapted to recipr cate in the direction of their l gths,supporting and driving means for the as, and an arcuately moving loafcarrier adapted to a loaf of bread past the knives, the cuttin edges ofsaid knives being offset from each other in the direction of loafmovement and L, n of each knife being substantially radial to he centerof the loaf carrier movement.

of a plurality of laterally spaced knives adapted to reciprocate in thedirection of their lengths, a circular loaf carrier adapted to carry aloaf of bread past the knives, and supporting and driving means for thelmives including a ikshaft at the center of the carrier having aplurality of cranks and means to connect each of the knives to one ofthe cranks, the cutting edges of knives being oiiset from each other inthe direction of loaf movement and arranged to reciprocate radially ofthe carrier.

'7. In a slicing machine adapted to slice a loaf of bread, a pluralityof laterally spaced knives, a loaf carrier adapted to move a loaf pastthe knives, said carrier comprising a plurality of laterally spacedelements movable through the spaces between the knives, and a loaf endguide movable laterally to position the loaf on the carrier with respectto the knives and to confine the sliced loaf endwise, said guidecomprising several overlapping segments forming continuations of eachoth r and each separately supported and movable to ermit insertion ofthe guide between selected carrier elements.

8. In a cutter head, a plurality of cutters movable endwise, asupporting cross bar, a plurality of tension springs, each spring beingattached to the upper end of one cutter to separately support the cutterfrom the cross bar, and means to move the cross bar to release thetension from all the springs at once; said moving means comprising ashaft supported above said crossbar, a pair of eccentrics on the shaft,and eccentric straps connecting the eccentrics to the crossbar to raiseand lower the crossbar by rotation of the shaft and the eccentricsthereon.

9. In a slicing machine adapted to slice a loaf of bread, a plurality oflaterally spaced knives, a circular car ier comprising a plurality oflaterally spaced rings adapted to carry a loaf of bread past the knives,and supporting and driving means for said knives, said supporting anddriving means including a laterally extending crankshaft within thecarrier rings and operatively connected to the knives to reciprocate theknives in the direction of their lengths, and a knife support exteriorof the carrier, said support having a plurality of individual knifeattaching elements, adapted to attach the knives to the support,arranged in offset relation so that the cuttin edges of the knives areoffs t from each other in the direction of loaf movement.

10. In a slicing machine adapted to slice a loaf of bread, a pluralityof laterally spaced knives, a circular carrier comprising a plurality oflaterally spaced rings adapted to carry a loaf of bread past the knives,supporting and driving means for said knives, said supportin and drivingmeans including a laterally extending crank shaft within the carrier andoperatively connected to the knives to reciprocate the knives in thedirection of their lengths, and a knife support exterior of the carrier,said support having a plurality of individual knife attaching elements,adapted to attach the knives to the support, arranged in olfset relationso that the cutting edges of the knives are arranged in a V with theapex presented to the advancing loaf.

11. A cutter head having a plurality of slicing knives laterally spacedin parallel planes, the cutting edges of the knives facing in onedirection along said plane, supporting and driving means for the knivesincluding a crankshaft with a plurality of cranks, drive meansconnecting each of said crank-s to the lower end of one of said knives,a stationary crossbar mounted on the head, a plurality of tensionsprings connected one to each blade at its upper end and to saidcrossbar, and a stationary guide bar for the upper end of the knives,having spaced knife receiving slots opening from one edge of the guide,said crossbar and guide being so shaped as to support and guide theknives in offset relation so the cutting edges of the knives are oiisetfrom each other in the direction of loaf movement.

12. In a slicing machine adapted to slice a loaf of bread, a pluralityof laterally spaced slicing knives, supporting and driving means for theknives, and a loaf oar'ier adapted to carry a loaf past the knives, thecutting edges of said knives being arranged in offset relation in thedirection of loaf movement to form a V, and adjustable means to centerthe leaf relative to the apex of the knives, said centering meansincluding a pair of normally stationary plates extending past the knivesto confine the sliced loaf and mounted rotatively and slidably to permitof insertion between selected knives.

13. In a slicing machine adapted to slice a loaf of bread, a circularbread carrier and means to rotate it about its center, a plurality ofknives in planes spaced axially of the carrier, the cutting edge of eachknife being substantially radial of the carrier and the several knifeedges being offset from each other in a direction circiunferential ofthe carrier.

WILLIAM WALTER HARTMAN.

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